Question
The patient has been coughing for three days and has been treated with cefoperazone, dexamethasone, and ribavirin by intramuscular injection for three days without improvement. Inquiring about the use of hymenoxside and how to use it to achieve the best therapeutic effect.
Answer
Hymenoxside is a drug with a plumbagin ester structure that has two free hydroxyl groups that are linked to potassium ions (K+) and sodium ions (Na+) in potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate. This structure is stable within a pH range of 6-8. In acidic conditions, hymenoxside undergoes a displacement reaction, releasing Na+ and being reduced to a semialkylated structure, which lowers its solubility and causes precipitation. Therefore, the solution of hymenoxside is prone to hydrolysis and should be avoided when mixed with acidic drugs or antioxidant drugs containing sodium metabisulfite or sodium sulfite. Penicillins and cephalosporins have a pH value that is neutral and do not react significantly with hymenoxside when mixed for a short period, so they can be used in combination with hymenoxside. Ammonium chloride, which is alkaline, can also be used in combination with hymenoxside.